Planning permission has been granted for a workshop to house classic cars that are worth up to £2million.

Members of Denbighshire’s planning committee voted unanimously to retrospectively grant planning permission for the workshop near Llanrhaeadr.

The applicant, Rob Atkinson of Ramsport, a firm that renovates classic sports cars, was seeking permission for the change of use of part of an agricultural building and associated hardstanding into a mechanic workshop.

The planning application said: “The business is a lucrative one and the cars renovated and worked on at the site are worth up to £2m at any one time.”

Endaf Roberts, the agent on behalf of Mr Atkinson, said: “To permit this application is to show support for a thriving and local business which employs local people. There are no objections from statutory consultees. As identified in the officer’s report there are no reasons for it to be refused, it is therefore kindly requested that members permit this application today.”

Council officers had recommended that the plans be passed by the committee but the village’s community council objected.

In a letter to the committee it wrote: “The structure interface of the property is a construction of agriculture farm building and not a commercial building which does not comply with building regulations which is a fire and security issue for the site building.”

“The application is outside the local development plan for the area and “there is no local proven need,” it added.

Despite the objection councillors voted by 15 votes to none in favour of granting permission.